Alleviate Irritation, Discomfort, and Fatigue
Dry Eyes Houston
In addition to offering a range of eye care procedures, including LASIK surgery, to satisfy our patients' needs, we treat dry eye syndrome at our Houston, Texas practice. Some 12 million Americans suffer from this condition, which can result in eye fatigue, redness, irritation, and, if left untreated, permanent damage. With treatments offered at the Watkins Eye Center, in most cases we can alleviate or eliminate these symptoms and improve a patient's overall quality of life. If you suffer from dry eyes and are seeking a solution, allow us to help. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Andrew Watkins regarding dry eye treatment, contact our Houston eye care center today.
"Everything was fantastic...from the Planet Earth documentary on the TV, to the painless surgery!" - Janis R. read more
Dry Eye - Overview and Causes
Dry eyes can be brought about by a number of factors: environmental conditions, age, gender, medication usage, injury, or pre-existing medical conditions. Whatever the cause, the result of the condition is the same, namely inadequate or poor quality tear production.
- Poor Tear Quality - Tears are made up of oil, water, and mucus. If any of these elements are underrepresented, the tears are unable to properly lubricate the eye and keep it moist. If oil (the outer layer of the tear) is underrepresented, the water evaporates, and the eye dries out; if the water volume is insufficient, the tears come out as a discharge, as they are made up primarily of oil and mucus; if there is not enough mucus, dry spots can form on the cornea.
- Inadequate Tear Production - If the quality of your tears is healthy but you do not produce enough, that too can result in dry eye syndrome. At our Houston eye care center, we have worked with numerous patients and can determine the cause of your dry eyes. Postmenopausal women, individuals over the age of 50, LASIK patients, and individuals with damaged tear glands are all at greater risk for inadequate tear production.
- Medications - Antihistamines, decongestants, birth control pills, pain relievers, high blood pressure drugs, and acne medications can also cause dry eye. Whatever the cause of your dry eyes, we can provide treatment and relieve your symptoms.
Treatment Options
There are a variety of treatment options for dry eyes. The method that is employed will depend on the nature of your condition and your individual needs. Treatment options range from simple dietary changes to surgical solutions. The primary treatment options used at the Watkins Eye Center are:
- Medication - Antibiotics can be used to reduce inflammation around the eye that may be responsible for inhibiting tear production, and prescription medications such as cyclosporine, sold under the brand name Restasis®, can promote increased tear production.
- Punctal Plugs - The natural drain for your tears is called the punctum. If your tears drain away too quickly, requiring you to use tear replacements multiple times a day, for example, we can place punctal plugs to help prevent excessive drainage. This can help keep your eyes properly lubricated.
- Tear Replacement - An effective and convenient treatment, tear replacement drops can be used anytime you feel discomfort as a result of dry eyes. Administered with an eye drop applicator, the artificial tears moisten the eyes and alleviate irritation.
- Thermal Cautery - A permanent alternative to punctal plugs, thermal cautery shrinks the tissue around the tear duct drain through heat application, thus limiting the rate at which tears drain away from the eyes. This procedure keeps the eye properly lubricated.
We can determine the most effective treatment option for you after consulting with you in person regarding your needs. If you are seeking a solution to dry eye syndrome, we would be happy to help, and you can trust our team of eye care professionals to provide the highest standard of care.
"Everyone did an excellent job with above and beyond care and attention to the overall experience!" - Maria R. read more
Learn More about Dry Eye Treatment - Contact Us
If dry eye syndrome has a negative impact on your quality of life, we encourage you to learn more about your options. Whether you are seeking a quick over-the-counter solution or a treatment that will provide permanent results, the Watkins Eye Center can meet your needs. To learn more about dry eye treatment, contact our Houston, Texas eye care center today.
Our Services
What We Can Do For You
The Watkins Eye Center proudly offers comprehensive eye care and vision correction services, in addition to the most advanced refractive surgery options, such as PRELEX (presbyopic lens exchange) and iLasik with the IntraLase™. Houston patients may turn to us for:
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